The Role of Social Issues on Food Procurement among Corner Store Owners and Shoppers

We assessed corner store shopper and owner perceptions, barriers, and enablers related to food procurement in a sample of neighborhood corner stores where over 50% of families are SNAP eligible.

We conducted semi-structured interviews to identify inventory stocking, shopping and marketing approaches, and perspectives on healthy eating.

Five corner store owners and 20 corner store shoppers.

Corner store owners: 1) did not feel as though they belonged to the community where their corner store was located; 2) had difficulty in becoming authorized WIC retailers because of the perceived complexity of the process, and 3) stated tobacco products and hot food items are their best-selling items; fruits and vegetables were perceived as unmarketable. Corner store shoppers preferred shopping at local corner stores because: 1) lack of transportation made corner stores easier to access than full-service grocery stores; 2) hot foods are readily available and inexpensive; 3) some home kitchens lacked an oven or stovetop for meal preparation; 4) they need to shop daily for children or other family members.

Social issues such as housing quality, corner store owner sense of community, and acculturation should be addressed when considering food environment in limited resource communities.